Dr Jitendra Singh
The hi-tech scenario of 21st century is a witness to more and more number of children and adolescents in school-age group staying glued to Internet, computer, DVD etc thus growing up accustomed to liesure pastimes which hardly involve any physical activity. This recent phenomenon has sent alarm bells ringing across the globe with research and medical fraternity taking upon itself to devise methods that could motivate youngsters to engage in physical activity as a safeguard against many a modern lifestyle disorders including Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension and heart disease.
In view of considerably declined level of physical activity among children during recent years, it is being emphasised that a school going youngster needs about one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily in order to say healthy and prevent himself from a host of disorders including Diabetes.
IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
A 13-member expert panel led by Dr William Strong from the Medical College of Georgia was assigned the task of reviewing literature and finding evidence about the impact of physical activity on the health and well-being of children and thereby putting forth recommendations in this regard. The group later published its conclusions.
Evidence based data cited by experts states beneficial effects of physical activity on several components of health including Blood sugar levels, blood pressure, body weight, heart, cholestrol/lipid profile, muscular system etc. In addition, in adolescents, physical exercise helps improve their academic performance and keep at bay negative states of mind like anxiety, depression etc.
Most of the earlier studies were generally based on programs of moderate to vigorous physical activity lasting upto 45 minutes for 3 to 5 days per week. The present panel report, however, suggests that more physical activity is needed to achieve similar benefits on health and behaviour in ordinary daily circumstances. This is particularly true in case of youngsters who are expected to protect themselves from lifestyle disorders like Diabetes for longer many years.
MAKING EXERCISE ENJOYABLE AND ATTRACTIVE
It has been observed that children tend to get bored easily and hence they have to have a variety even in exercise. In addition, youngsters like physical activities that are challenging. While keeping this in consideration, the exercise suggested ought to be developmentally appropriate, enjoyable and involving a variety of activities such as jumping rope, soccer, basketball, jogging etc. However, hitherto sedentary children should be advised to increase physical activity gradually.
Without compromising academics, most of the recommended physical activity could take place at school through appropriate physical education, recess, intramural sports etc. In this respect, parents, physical instructors, teachers and others who influence youngsters need to become active role models.
One of the most important challenges is how to involve children in regular rewarding physical activity. Effective counselling by medical professionals can help families to overcome problems that limit opportunities for school age children to be physically active.
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